Re: Is there a version of Lynx for the Apple II/IIGS?

[Simon Williams <*email*@*luddite.ca*>]

On 04 Apr 2003 04:53:31 GMT supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer) wrote:


> 
> I think part of the problem is with the users not just programmers.
> The truth of the matter is that the Apple IIGS users of today
> are not the same as the Apple IIGS users of yesteryear.
> 
> The Apple IIGS users of yesteryear thought of their computers
> as premium machines.  We were willing to spend money on
> them or spend hours hunched over HyperCard or HyperStudio
> to produce our own.  This is the way you and I think and all
> those who actually BOUGHT their IIGS from Apple, not some
> thrift shop.
> 
> I might anger some thrift shop IIGS user by saying this but
> we ARE different.  There is obviously something different
> about someone who spent $800 to buy a IIGS CPU unit
> (and more for a hard drive, floppies, RAM, and monitor) than
> someone who spends $10 at a thrift shop to buy the same.

I'm not exactly angry per se, but I have to wonder if there's
much point in making the distinction since it's not really a 
matter of choice for anyone - I'm sure you would have gladly
paid $10 for a IIGS back in the eighties ;-)
Since I came into the computer world post Y2K, my reasons for
being an Apple II hobbyist are obviously going to be different
from someone who has lovingly maintained their Apple since 
the dawn of time, but I don't think it should be quite as
divisive an issue as you imply. (Maybe I'm reading more into
your post than I should?)

<snip>

> Why?
> 
> I think the answer is simply that we REAL IIGS users
> have been overrun by the thrift shop Apple II users.  The
> thrift shop folks are here because of the Apple II's past
> success.  The schools flooded the thrift shops with their
> Apple IIs.  Thus, what was once considered a premium
> computer is now considered a cheap dirt computer.

You also have to consider that *most* of the REAL IIGS users
have probably moved on to newer platforms by now. To use another
dodgy car analogy: not too many '57 Chevy's are still in the
hands of their original owners and, compared to a decent new car,
an unrestored '57 is very cheap, but most car enthusiast would
likely avoid referring to it as a dirt cheap car.
Anyway, the point I'm after is that the so-called overrun is
not exactly a hostile takeover by grubby dumpster-divers, but
just something that happens to all sectors of society in the normal course of time.

<snip>

> The way THEY use their computers makes them more
> prefer emulators than the real thing.  That's why
> emulators for the Apple II are far more popular than the
> ones for C64, Amiga, or Atari ST.

I'd argue that point. I think the fact that someone is willing
to lug a pile of old beige plastic home from Value Village
would indicate that they have some interest in using the actual
hardware. As one of THEM, I can attest that I find emulation
rather a poor substitute for the real thing. My experience would
lead me to think that emulators are more popular with former
Apple II owners who no longer have their machines and are looking
to reconnect with the past. Since I never used an Apple II when
they were in common usage 

Not trying to be antagonistic here. I think much of what you say
is accurate... I just don't like the idea of an US and THEM
scenario - there's enough of that in the world already.

-- 
Simon Williams
Luddite Enterprises
http://www.luddite.ca